How do I find the center point of a circle?

rhinoknives

rhinoknives

Well-Known Member
I'am sure there is a simple tool or method for this?

I have a few Black wood dowels that I want to find the dead center for drilling.

I have been drawing lines across using a small measuring stick until I think I have dead center for drilling.. What would be a more accurate way?

I use to know a old rifle stock makers trick for this but I haven't done it in years and well,, you know the rest of the story!
Thanks guys!
 
find diameter of dowel with calipers. get a drill bit that is exactly the same diameter. put both on flat surface and touch end of dowel with the point of drill bit, should be exact center.
 
scott.livesey said:
find diameter of dowel with calipers. get a drill bit that is exactly the same diameter. put both on flat surface and touch end of dowel with the point of drill bit, should be exact center.
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Thanks guys,
Scott, this sounds like a great way to do it except that I now need a 1.150 inch drill bit. LOL
 
You can buy center finders from expensive to cheap plastic ones. You could make your own, but I don't remember the exact angle used. They are used like a square, but angled. Using it you draw 2 lines, or as many as you want. As long as the part is round, the lines are center of the diameter. I have found that many wood dowels are not perfectly round.
 
LRB said:
You can buy center finders from expensive to cheap plastic ones. You could make your own, but I don't remember the exact angle used. They are used like a square, but angled. Using it you draw 2 lines, or as many as you want. As long as the part is round, the lines are center of the diameter. I have found that many wood dowels are not perfectly round.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I knew there had to be a angled square, for lack of correct terminology.
Amazon or Mc master Carr time
 
sorry laurence, didn't realize diameter, i was thinking 1/4" or so. variation on the theme, measure dowel with calipers and find diameter, divide by 2 and set that value on calipers. put one point of calipers on edge of dowel, make an arc with other end. do that at 3 or 4 points, where arcs cross should be exact center.
 
Thanks Scott.

Mark, Thanks to you too! That site is excellent for a ADD kid like me. They didn't have that name back then, I was just yelled at for never paying attention. LOL The only part of math I was any good at was, Fractions. I have no idea why?

Thanks everyone for helping.
 
rhinoknives said:
Thanks Scott.

Mark, Thanks to you too! That site is excellent for a ADD kid like me. They didn't have that name back then, I was just yelled at for never paying attention. LOL The only part of math I was any good at was, Fractions. I have no idea why?

Thanks everyone for helping.
Click to expand...

Laurence,
i get "That" look when i say i was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD at age 52. most folks dont realize ADD/ADHD wasnt invented till 1980, ten years after i graduated from high school. glad to help a fellow "sufferer"
 
Wood turners use a tool like this often. Have a look at a wood workers tool site.
 
Like Pelallito posted I use the middle square. Just draw intersecting lines from a few points around the circle. Where they intersect is the center. Everybody needs a good excuse to buy more tools
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